BCD urges EU not to have dialogue with Lukashenka

No dialogues with official Minsk are possible unless political prisoners are released and rehabilitated.

It's time for the Belarusian democratic forces to take a stand on the possible lifting of European sanctions from a group of blacklisted officials. This statement was made at by representatives of the organising committee to found the Belarusian Christian Democracy party at a press conference today. They also spoke about the need to set conditions, under which the opposition can negotiate with the authorities, Radio Svaboda reports.

Vital Rymasheuski, a co-head of the BCD organising committee, said the democratic community was concerned about the attempts of some European officials to allow entry to Europe for foreign minister Uladzimir Makei and lift sanctions from a group of blacklisted officials or probably from all of them. The BCD confirmed today that the party's position remained unchanged.

“We think the departure from the adopted rules of the EU, including lifting a visa ban from Belarusian officials involved in political repression or electoral frauds, will not only worsen the situation of political prisoners, but also deliver a strong blow to opprtunities of Belarus's modernisation. The EU's doors should remain shut to Makei and all those responsible for repression against innocent citizens of the Republic of Belarus until prison doors are open to illegally sentenced political prisoners,” Vital Rymasheuski said.